H. Res. 847 

In the House of Representatives, U. S., 

September 12, 2016. 

Whereas the Internet of Things currently connects tens of 

billions of devices worldwide and has the potential to generate trillions of dollars in economic opportunity; 

Whereas increased connectivity can empower consumers in 

nearly every aspect of their daily lives, including in the 

fields of agriculture, education, energy, healthcare, public 

safety, security, and transportation, to name just a few; 

Whereas businesses across the economy can simplify logistics, 

cut costs in supply chains, and pass savings on to consumers because of the Internet of Things and innovations 

derived from it; 

Whereas the Internet of Things, through augmented data collection and process analyses, optimizes energy consumption by increasing energy efficiency and reducing usage 

and demand; 

Whereas the United States should strive to be a world leader 

in smart cities and smart infrastructure to ensure its citizens and businesses, in both rural and urban parts of the 

country, have access to the safest and most resilient communities in the world; 

Whereas the United States is the world leader in developing 

the Internet of Things technology, and with a national 
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strategy guiding both public and private entities, the 

United States will continue to produce breakthrough 

technologies and lead the world in innovation; 

Whereas the evolution of the Internet of Things is a nascent 

market, the future direction of which holds much promise; 

Whereas businesses should implement reasonable privacy and 

cybersecurity practices and protect consumers’ personal 

information to increase confidence, trust, and acceptance 

of this emerging market; 

Whereas the Internet of Things represents a wide range of 

technologies, in numerous industry sectors and overseen 

by various governmental entities; and 

Whereas coordination between all stakeholders of the Internet 

of Things on relevant developments, impediments, and 

achievements is a vital ingredient to the continued advancement of pioneering technology: Now, therefore, be it 

Resolved, That it is the sense of the House of Representatives that— 

(1) the United States should develop a national 

strategy to encourage the development of the Internet of 

Things in a way that maximizes the promise connected 

technologies hold to empower consumers, foster future 

economic growth, and improve the Nation’s collective social well-being; 

(2) the United States should prioritize accelerating 

the development and deployment of the Internet of 

Things in a way that recognizes its benefits, allows for 
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future innovation, and responsibly protects against misuse; 

(3) the United States should recognize the important role that businesses play in the future development 

of the Internet of Things and engage in inclusive dialogue with industry and work cooperatively wherever 

possible; 

(4) the United States Government should determine 

if using the Internet of Things can improve Government 

efficiency and effectiveness and cut waste, fraud, and 

abuse; and 

(5) using the Internet of Things, innovators in the 

United States should commit to improving the quality of 

life for future generations by developing safe, new technologies aimed at tackling the most challenging societal 

issues facing the world. 

Attest: 

Clerk.